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Controversial Execution in Ohio Uses New Drug Combination

Ohio inmate Dennis McGuire appeared to gasp and convulse for roughly 10 minutes before he finally died Thursday during his execution by lethal injection using a new combination of drugs, reports CNN.

He was convicted in 1994 of the rape and murder of 22-year-old Joy Stewart, who was seven months pregnant. Her relatives were at Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville to witness his death, according to tweets from television reporter Sheila Gray.

The execution generated controversy because, like many states, Ohio has been forced to find new drug protocols after European-based manufacturers banned U.S. prisons from using their drugs in executions -- among them, Danish-based Lundbeck, which manufactures pentobarbital.

The state used a combination of the drugs midazolam, a sedative; and the painkiller hydromorphone, according to the state corrections department.

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Comments (7)

Displaying 1 - 7 of 7

madmack1008 @ 1/16/2014 9:46 PM

How long did the rape and stabbing take? And was that painless?

plato's playdough @ 1/16/2014 10:35 PM

McGuire, 53, was sentenced to death for killing Stewart in Preble County in western Ohio. The newlywed was eight months pregnant at the time. Stewart's slaying went unsolved for 10 months until McGuire, jailed on an unrelated assault and hoping to improve his legal situation, told investigators he had information about the woman's Feb. 12, 1989, death. His attempts to blame the crime on his brother-in-law quickly unraveled and soon he was accused of being Stewart's killer, according to prosecutors.More than a decade later, DNA evidence confirmed McGuire's guilt, and he acknowledged that he was responsible in a letter to Gov. John Kasich last month. His attorneys argued McGuire was mentally physically and sexually abused as a child and has impaired brain function that makes him prone to act impulsively. The lawyers said in a parole board filing. "The lack of proper nutrition, chaotic home environment, abuse, lack of positive role models all affected Dennis' brain development.".

plato's playdough @ 1/16/2014 10:52 PM

That last post's source was http://www.wdtn.com/news/ohio/dennis-mcguire-is-put-to-death

I could not help but notice the Defense Attorney's argument for his defense. What factors or entities have mostly contributed to such conditions as "LACK of positive role models" and "lack of proper nutrition." Public education systems which are not allowed to discipline poor behavior? Public education systems following the latest FDA pronouncements?

Perhaps we should all turn off the TV, and visit a GNC store regularly. However, I am not certain that the continual erosion of religious belief, in which morality is based, will be unabated. The real enemy uses subversion, and rhetoric to disguise themselves, but they cannot camouflage the disastrous results of their policies.

Shall this destructive path remain unobstructed?

Ima Leprechaun @ 1/17/2014 2:25 AM

The system works but I am sure there are much better drugs to use. Old sparky is still at Lucasville and it works just fine.

Chief John @ 1/17/2014 6:44 AM

OK, I can be the unpopular one.. So he gasped and convulsed for 10 minutes. I would bet the pain and suffering he inflicted on his victim were much worse and lasted alot longer. It took decades to get this rapist and murderer to the death house and people are feeling sorry he may have suffered for a few minutes? If your loved one was the victim, it would be terrible it took so long to carry out his sentance. Finally justice for his victim and her family. I agree, bring back Sparky! Then you won't have to have a tre hugging company tell you you have to use other drugs, AEP likes to sell electricity.

Mike @ 1/17/2014 7:44 AM

I have no sympathy for that animal or his family. The Courts should not entertain his family's lawsuit against the State of Ohio. I agree with Chief John; that animal's "suffering" was nothing compared to his victim. Old Sparky!? Sure, but a .308 round costs about a dollar and I'm certain, like myself, there are volunteers to pull the trigger.

S.S. @ 1/17/2014 9:16 AM

Good riddance. I hope he felt an ungodly amount of pain. This s.o.b. still has hell to look forward too.

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